DUBBED the Malaysian King of Dates, Datuk Seri Yusuf Taiyoob, officially received his appointment letter as the honorary consul of the Republic of Tunisia for Penang and Kuala Lumpur yesterday (July 3).
Congratulating Yusuf on his appointment, caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Yusuf deserves the honour as he is capable of strengthening the ties between Tunisia and Penang.
“The caretaker state government welcomes the opening of the Tunisian honorary consulate office and the appointment of Datuk Seri Yusuf Taiyoob as the honorary consul of Tunisia in Penang.
“I do not think Datuk Seri requires any introduction as a whisper of his name will remind us of the Ramadhan month, and particularly, the imported Tunisian dates.
“I am confident that he is the right man for the role, and that his responsibilities as the honorary consul will cement strong relations between Tunisia and Penang,” Chow said at the reception dinner held at G Hotel Gurney, in honour of Yusuf’s appointment as the honorary consul in Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
At the reception, Yusuf received the ‘Letter of Commission and Exequatur’ from the Tunisian Ambassador to Malaysia, His Excellency Riadh Dridi. The ceremony was witnessed by Chow.
Chow hoped that with the opening of the Tunisian honorary consulate office in Penang, the engagement between Penang, Malaysia, and Tunisia in the fields of business, investment, and other areas of mutual interest would be further enhanced.
“I believe Tunisia is the 21st on the list of honorary consulates in Penang.
“I hope more countries will look towards setting up consular representation in Penang and for the list to get longer in time.
“We welcome more exposure for Penang in Tunisia and the North African region,” Chow said while thanking the Tunisian government for the appointment.
Meanwhile, Yusuf expressed his gratitude to Riadh.
“I will execute my duties responsibly for the benefit of both nations (Tunisia and Malaysia),” Yusuf said.
Riadh hoped to strengthen the bilateral ties between Malaysia and Tunisia, particularly, in politics, economy, and education.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siew Chia En